The Lakers’ LeBron James, right, chases down the Clippers’ Landry Shamet and blocks his shot from behind during the season opener last month at Staples Center. James’ effort on defense early in the season is one reason the Lakers rank among the league’s best in several defensive metrics. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)

CHICAGO — Of the many statistical categories where the Lakers find themselves at or near the top of the league, this one warms Frank Vogel’s heart: charges taken.

The Lakers (5-1) are tied for second in the league through six games in offensive fouls generated with 1.83 per game. It’s a source of pride for Vogel – not only because it’s a momentum-shifting play that gives his team the ball back, but because it represents a physical brand of basketball that he wants to define this team.

“We don’t get out of the way. We get in the way,” he said after Tuesday’s practice. “It’s not like drills and stuff like that. But every time in practice, every time in film sessions, every time in the game, it’s an easy thing to drill. It’s something that we have to hold to a high standard.”

Who is leading the team in this hustle stat category? According to NBA tracking data, it’s none other than LeBron James.

Anyone taking a charge can make his teammates on the bench rise from their seats like sparks from a flame. But when it’s James taking the shots, it sets the tone for the entire team.

“He’s obviously one of our best rim protectors with the blocks that he does,” Kyle Kuzma said. “But getting in there, taking a charge is better than getting a block.”

Dedicated observers will note that James’ devotion is ticking up in other defensive areas, too. His steals and blocked shots averages are close, but slightly up. The Lakers defense has a 96.2 defensive rating with him on the court, improving from 107.6 last season.

He’s been more consistent on defensive rotations after multiple viral clips highlighted his indifference in this area last season. It’s more common for him to wind up defending an opponent’s leading scorer than it was last season: NBA tracking data showed James guarded Spurs forward DeMar DeRozan the most of any Laker on Sunday night, and he was a key part of him shooting just 5 for 15.

Is it coincidence, then, that in the midst of a defensive renaissance for James, the Lakers are suddenly the No. 1 defense in the NBA, allowing just 96.3 points per 100 possessions? A huge part of that must be the addition of Anthony Davis, who finished as a top-3 finalist for Defensive Player of the Year in 2018. But his teammates and coaches are giving plenty of credit to James, too.

“Well it’s contagious, and his commitment on that end of the floor has been a great surprise for us in terms of just how proficient he’s been,” Vogel said. “He’s leading the charge with care factor on that end of the floor. When he’s working that hard and caring that much about getting stops, it carries over to everybody else, and you see it on the floor.”

The “great surprise” part should sting a little for a player who has made the NBA’s all-defensive teams six times. James has a history of being a sturdy defender on the wing, but his reputation has lagged there recently. A viral clip of Kuzma shoving him into a defensive assignment against the Clippers last season drew more attention than any actual highlight James earned on that side of the ball.

James’ explanation is simple: He’s finally healthy. After tearing his groin last year and missing a long stretch of games, he still had a small tear in the muscle that hindered him from being his full self. The longest offseason he’s had in 14 years set him straight again – as well as Vogel, Davis and others on the team looking to him to set an example.

But the commitment might be a bigger piece than he lets on. Veterans have said since the start of the season that Davis’ presence has been a huge factor in challenging James on the defensive end. Part of that is the confidence that comes from playing in front of an aggressive shot-blocker. But part is the knowledge that if Davis – who has set a personal season goal of being the NBA Defensive Player of the Year – is playing hard both ways, he must do it, too.

Davis also acknowledged that he thinks James has more spring in his step this season than what he saw toward the end of the last one, and that’s been a factor. Whatever the explanation, the difference has had a trickle-down effect on the roster.

“I just want him to be able to get back to old ’Bron,” Davis said, “When he’s playing great defense like he’s been playing, everybody’s locked in to being a great defensive team.”

INJURY UPDATES

The Lakers could change the starting lineup for the first time Tuesday night against Chicago, depending on the availability of Avery Bradley. The team’s top on-ball defender is officially questionable for the finale of the three-game trip after he was kicked in the knee Sunday night against the Spurs.

Many players didn’t participate in live portions of Monday’s practice in West Chicago, at the Quest Multisport complex where the NBA Draft Combine takes place. For most, the idea was to get rest. Bradley was one of those abstaining.

“He’s day-to-day,” Vogel said. “We don’t expect it to be a long-term thing. But we’ll see how he feels tomorrow.”

Veteran guard Rajon Rondo, however, was spotted doing three-on-three scrimmaging at the end of practice. He’s out against the Bulls, but Vogel said Rondo will play four-on-four at Tuesday’s shootaround, and then will do more live work after the Lakers return home. He could come back during the upcoming homestand against Miami (Friday) or Toronto (Sunday).

After playing 16 minutes on Sunday, Vogel added Kuzma’s minutes restriction will be raised to 26 against Chicago.

Frank Vogel said LeBron's "care factor" on defense has been a key element of the Lakers' start on that end. LeBron said the biggest factor for him has been feeling healthy and working on his quick-twitch movement over the offseason. pic.twitter.com/ttRQEnFMhx

Kyle Goon covers the Lakers for the Southern California News Group. Before taking his talents to Los Angeles, he worked for The Salt Lake Tribune for eight years, covering everything from high school rodeo to the Utah Jazz. Gregg Popovich once baptized him by fire in a media scrum.

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